Nearly every aspect of normal life has been affected by the spread of coronavirus and its associated disease, COVID-19. One huge area that COVID-19 is impacting and sowing major confusion is in higher education. Colleges and universities have been thrown into very uncertain waters as they are forced to convert to online-only courses while snuggling with a myriad of other issues, especially in the realm of finances. Its effects on colleges and universities are multifaceted and quite complex.
Whether it is in the area of applications and admissions, tuition, student loans or teaching, COVID-19 is making a substantial, and perhaps, lasting impression on colleges and universities.
COVID-19 has forced all of us to reimagine how we deliver an engaging and holistic learning experience for students. While it presents its challenges, it is also a massive opportunity to break out of old habits and create new; impactful, relevant modes of learning that take advantage of technology and this moment. The colleges best positioned to survive the financial challenge may be the urban commuter schools. Living at home while attending schools with limited-sized classes may become a much more palatable option for parents afraid to send their children to live in densely populated campus dorms.
